Review on 🔒 Cobo Vault Pro (Keystone Pro): Secure Your Crypto with an Air-Gapped Cryptocurrency Hardware Wallet featuring 4-inch Touch Screen, Fingerprint Sensor, and Enhanced Security by Billy Reeves

I first heard about Cobo Vault on Twitter from a few people I followed there. The thought of a new open-source hardware wallet (which I really like about the Trezor) but also air-gap (no internet connection, no USB, Bluetooth, etc.) was very appealing to my ultra-paranoid side too. I believe that as the value of bitcoin, and perhaps other cryptocurrencies, increases, security becomes even more important, so that ultra-paranoia is justified. Anyway, I started with the Essentials version of the product and was initially impressed with how the product was packaged. Nice; nothing is dangling in the box, everything is well protected. Once out of the box, the build quality of the device itself was impressive, and setup was easy too. I like the fact that the Cobo Vault hardware syncs with the mobile app. This setup is part of the initial setup wizard. This allows you to view your balance in BTC, ETH, etc. or fiat equivalents on the mobile app without actually having a hardware wallet. You can also access via the mobile app via the QR code. It's probably best to use the QR code from the hardware wallet display itself if you're extremely paranoid, but again, only the mobile app can be used. Remember that you cannot view the fiat balance on the hardware wallet as it is closed. To send, you initiate it from the mobile app, but you need a hardware wallet to complete the actual transaction. This is achieved by scanning QR codes between the hardware wallet and your smartphone. Because I liked Essential so much, I bought another Cobo Storage, but this time the Pro version. The reason I bought the pro version is because it has a fingerprint scanner and it was easier for me to unlock and do other things with this method. Without this feature, you either have to enter alphanumeric passwords on a tiny keyboard on the touchscreen, or draw a pattern on the display (similar to smartphones). Both seem tricky to me, as it's a bit difficult to properly type a password or draw a pattern correctly on a small touchscreen without moving slowly; especially if you have big fingers. To solve this problem, a randomly arranged numeric keypad for entering a password could be a good alternative. Battery Life: Another reason why the Pro version is superior to the Essentials version is that it comes with both a battery and an AAA option. The AAA variant seems to have inconsistent battery life and drains very quickly in my opinion. I pointed this out to the Cobo team and they were very responsive and explained why the AAA battery life was difficult to calculate and sometimes inconsistent. However, it would be nice if there was a way to ensure consistency of the AAA battery percentage displayed. That being said, a rechargeable battery is always the way to go, but the AAA battery option is great for a device's long-term warranty if it outlasts the battery. It is recommended to allow the device to be powered on and/or charged. during use. Currently, a rechargeable battery requires that the battery be disconnected from the device itself in order to be recharged. Firmware Updates: I'm really impressed with the frequency of firmware updates as well as the introduction of new features. + to that. Updating has been a mixed bag for me. I've found that for some updates it's best to use a battery (charge it fully) and then update. In other cases, especially when upgrading to 1.40 Multicoin, I had to use a AAA battery with fresh batteries to upgrade both Pro and Essential; A fully charged battery will not work. I'm sure they can handle it as the product evolves. Which brings me to my final point, what impresses me most about this product is the response from the Cobo team. They're open to feedback and suggestions, and both acknowledge it, respond with great, detailed answers, and work hard to introduce new features. I'm really impressed with the support. I use several different hardware wallets to store my cryptocurrency offline and Cobo Vault is probably my favorite vault right now. I am very excited to see and be a part of this product line as it develops.